Manchester United 2-0 Benfica, Player Ratings

Benfica

Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League

Mile Svilar - 6

Svilar's Champions League curse followed him from Lisbon to Manchester, as he was directly under the scanner for the concession of United's goal for the second game running. After carrying Rashford's free-kick over the line in the earlier game between the two sides in Portugal, he saw Matic's shot from 25 yards rebound off the post, before trickling into the back of the net off his head. He saved an early penalty from Martial and also made a couple of good saves to deny Lukaku. However, his ill-fortune will be the talking point of the game.

Douglas - 5

Douglas had a nightmare of a game at Old Trafford, first having to deal with the fleet-footedness of Martial, before coming up against a similarly skilled Rashford for the final 15 minutes.

Ruben Diaz - 6

Diaz conceded the first penalty to Martial - which was saved. Apart from that incident, he looked assured and was happy to commit to tackles to block shots.

Jardel - 6

Jardel did an impressive man-marking job on Lukaku and organized his defence well to ensure that United didn't have it easy at Old Trafford.

Alejandro Grimaldo - 6.5

Grimaldo was as lively tonight as he was two weeks ago in Lisbon, linking up with Goncalves in the early stages of the game to put United on the backfoot in spells.

Ljubomir Fejsa - 6.5

Fejsa put in a good shift in front of his defence, making solid challenges to win the ball back and also showing calmness to bring the ball out of his own half to set Benfica on their way.

Andreas Samaris - 5.5

Samaris looked positive going forward - playing one-twos with his colleagues to unsettle United's defence - but has to be struck down for a silly challenge on Rashford which resulted in the penalty which was converted to put the game to bed as a contest.

Pizzi - 6.5

Pizzi kept Benfica ticking with some meaningful passes through the heart of midfield. But with Matic and McTominay both resorting to defensive performances, it became all the more difficult to create a clear goal-scoring opportunity through the middle.

Eduardo Salvio - 7

Salvio was one of Benfica's standout players, pushing high up the pitch and making inroads across the byline to get into possible space. He was well checked by Blind, thus unable to complete his dribbles and eke out a meaningful shot at de Gea's goal.

Raul Jimenez - 6

Jimenez had a golden opportunity to equalize for Benfica in the second half. After showing timely presence of mind to cut out Eric Bailly's terrible pass, he had only the goalkeeper to beat, but directed his shot against the frame of the goal and behind for a goal-kick. During the game, he looked to get into space in the United defence to meet crosses, but Smalling's presence was his obstacle.

Diogo Goncalves - 7

Goncalves deserves credit for finding space to get two cracks at United's goal, both well-saved by de Gea. The 20-year old's pace was a handful for United's back-line and it needed Darmian's focus and determination to track him down in order to prevent him from finding pathways into the penalty box.

Substitutions:

Eliseu - 5

Eliseu replaced fellow left-back Grimaldo with half an hour to go but was unable to force any major impact on the game. He was outrun by Martial, who temporarily occupied the right-wing position after he had come on.

Haris Seferovic - 5

Both forwards were thrown on to force a comeback but Blind's penalty took the fizz out of Benfica's attack, meaning that neither substitute had an opportunity to test de Gea.

Jonas - N/A

Came on only in the 79th minute and didn't have much to do thereafter